Quick reminder: Grassroots North Shore is hosting a program — Let's Talk Gun Safety Solutions — this Sunday afternoon from 3pm-4pm on Zoom. Our co-sponsors include Moms Demand Action, the Brady Group, WAVE, Wisconsin Jewish Democrats, and the League of Progressive Seniors. Our speakers include State Assembly Representative Deb Andraca; State Senator LaTonya Johnson; Anneliese Dickson (The Brady Group); Liz Miller (Moms Demand Action); and Dr. Barbara Moser. These experts and legislators will update us on why Wisconsin has been unable to pass legislation to address gun violence in our communities and what we can do about the impasse. Join us for a lively discussion! Register here.

The 9/11 commemorations were moving on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. And, in something of a surprise, our 43rd president, George W. Bush, gave what Dana Milbank called a "magnificent speech Saturday contrasting the warm courage of national unity after the 9/11 attacks with the domestic terrorism Donald Drumpf has unleashed." The most quoted passage — and one those of us who generally opposed most of the Bush policies genuinely applauded — was aimed squarely at the former resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and his followers: "There is little cultural overlap between violent extremists abroad and violent extremists at home. But in their disdain for pluralism, in their disregard for human life, in their determination to defile national symbols, they are children of the same foul spirit. And it is our continuing duty to confront them."

Now we are staring at what may be a reprise of the January 6 insurrection on Saturday, September 18, as a MAGA crowd gathers for a "Justice For J6" rally. Fencing around the Capitol building is returning and the news media are focused like a laser on the events, perhaps surreptitiously hoping for more great b-roll to air on their cable shows.

Maybe we have not yet had our fill of disaster news: the Afghanistan withdrawal and its problems occupied a couple of days (New Yorker, Aug. 19, 2021); a new story about the Kabul drone strike that supposedly killed ISIS terrorists but may actually have been a colossal error has gotten a little play (New York Times, Sep 10, 2021); and the COVID news continues to be awful (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Meanwhile Hurricane Ida devastated Louisiana and caused unexpected deaths in flash flooding in the northeast. Wild fires rage out west and a new hurricane/tropical storm is drowning the Texas gulf coast and heading to Louisiana to add to the misery there. Maybe it's just me, but there are so many of these horrors — not to mention the US Supreme Court's failure to prevent a draconian anti-abortion law and an equally abominable voter suppression law — that they could undermine our nation's capacity to cope.

Not everything is gloomy, though. Here are some brightish spots. The outcome of the California recall election looks promising — we'll know for sure in a day or two or three. And Senate Democrats have introduced a revised voting rights bill. Our local events list is finally starting to show that there are plenty of actions to take in the next two weeks. The only antidote I know for the kind of malaise we're experiencing is to renew our collective resolve to build our "more perfect union."

EVENTS

Wed Sep 15, 2021

Drinking Liberally Wauwatosa, 6:30pm - 9pm
Suspended
More information.

Southwest Region Dems Meeting, 7pm - 7pm
Suspended
Southwest Dems (Region 5) cover Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee (Southwest), West Allis, West Milwaukee. For information on when a meeting may be held check here or contact [email protected].

Thu Sep 16, 2021

#DotheRightThingRon - lower drug prices, 9am - 5pm
517 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Alliance of Retired Americans. Please join us as we demand that Ron Johnson #DotheRightThingRon and support lower drug prices for everyone! (We are requiring that everyone who attends 1) wear a mask and 2) socially distance as much as possible.)

Fri Sep 17, 2021

Voces De la Frontera Gala, 5pm - 8pm
Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee
The gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for Voces, where members, allies and supporters come together to celebrate its work and alliances, and honor strong grassroots leaders in the movement. 5:00pm Cocktails | 6:00pm Dinner and Program | 7:00pm Dance. More information and how to purchase tickets.

Sat Sep 18, 2021

Bounce Milwaukee Reopening, 10am - 9pm
2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Bounce Milwaukee, the amusement center for children and adults, will reopen starting September 18 with limited admissions. For information on tickets, hours, and health and safety requirements, see our website.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Capitol Drive & Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sun Sep 19, 2021

Gun Safety Solutions, 3pm - 4pm
Zoom
Grassroots North Shore will present a program with experts and legislators who will give updates on why Wisconsin has been unable to pass legislation to help us reduce gun violence, what we can do about the situation, and how to protect ourselves personally in the meantime. Registration.

MKE Dems Annual Dinner, 6pm - 9pm
Postponed
The dinner has been postponed because of the rising covid-19 situation. The event has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Tue Sep 21, 2021

Become a Poll Worker-Training, 5:30pm - 6pm
Virtual
Support your community and become a Poll Worker in 2022! Working the polls and helping your neighbors cast their ballots is the most direct way you can support voting rights in your community. Join our 30-minute Info Session to learn more about being a Poll Worker and how you can get involved for 2022! You must be a Wisconsin resident to be a poll worker and you only need to attend one Info Session. REGISTER HERE.

Wed Sep 22, 2021

Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon with Cavalier Johnson, 11:45am - 1:30pm
Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
Cavalier Johnson, president of the Milwaukee Common Council, will be the featured speaker at a Newsmaker Luncheon, hosted jointly by the Milwaukee Press Club and WisPolitics.com. Johnson will give his perspective on the future of Milwaukee and share his thoughts about becoming the acting mayor when Tom Barrett receives confirmation from the U.S. Senate to become the new United States Ambassador to Luxembourg. The press club’s Newsmaker Luncheons are held to inform the public about the people and issues that affect individuals and communities in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. The cost to attend is $20 for MPC members, $25 for non-members and $15 for students. Lunch is included. Seating is limited. Advanced registration and payment are required and may be done online. Checks may be mailed to the MPC at PO Box 176, North Prairie, WI 53153-0176. Cancellations will be accepted up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund.

Drinking Liberally Glendale, 6:30pm - 9pm
Suspended
For information on whether the event will take place, check here.

Thu Sep 23, 2021

Mental Health Board Meeting, 9am - 9am
Teleconference
This is a teleconference meeting (see Agenda for details). Public Comment: none. More information.

Author Event: American Woman in Resistance to Hitler, 5pm - 6pm
Zoom
Rebecca Donner, author of All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days: The True Story of the American Woman at the Heart of the German Resistance to Hitler, will discuss this biography of her great-great aunt's heroic part in the resistance. More information and registration

Sat Sep 25, 2021

Community Brainstorming, 8am - 11am
Suspended
Community Brainstorming Conference will suspend its monthly breakfast forums until further notice. More information.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
TBA
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Week-end of Action Phonebank, 1pm - 3pm
Virtual
Join our Fall Weekend of Action Phonebank! We will be calling Wisconsinites to ask them to be poll workers during the 2022 election cycle. Poll workers are the backbone of our democracy, and the most direct way we can protect voting rights now is by ensuring that every polling place is open next year. Training is provided, and all you need is a computer and a phone! SIGN-UP HERE.

Mon Sep 27, 2021

Milwaukee Dems Meeting, 6pm - 8pm
Teamsters Hall, 10020 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
Milwaukee County Democrats meet monthly to discuss party business, hear speakers on current topics, pass resolutions, and network with other progressives. All interested Democrats are invited. Information about how to access the meeting will be sent after RSVP.

Tue Sep 28, 2021

Sierra Club: Connection between Wolves and Indigenous Nations, 6:30pm - 8pm
Virtual
Screening of the film Family followed by Panel Discussion. More info

.